My Dad would always say, “what do you get when you take the “ill” out of Willow?  Wow!”  Guess what, he’s right.  I have never felt happier, calmer, more focused and full of love. That’s not to say I don’t battle my mind every day, I still do.  It’s just now I KNOW that those negative thoughts aren’t “mine” and my power runs deeper than I ever thought it did.

I may not have won the race, but a second place was enough to put me in the World Cup Leaders jersey.  Woohoo!!  Someone is going to have to rip that one off of me if they want it. .. .

I was so in the zone in Houffalize I don’t really even know what happened.  I do know that on the 2nd to last climb I hit Eva’s wheel and had to get off and run. .. . there goes 5 seconds!

there goes 5 seconds. ...

I also know that I was hunting out there, and it was fun.  I was paying attention to how everyone was riding.  Pushing at times, following at times, looking back at times, being smart.

checking out the prey

I am so excited to have the leader’s jersey and so motivated to really seal the deal.  Thanks for watching, thanks for cheering, thanks for believing!

beer for my awesome mechanics

First of all, thank you so much to everyone who supports me and who is excited for me!  I can feel your energy and it is very inspiring.  I am so happy about my second place finish, and even more motivated to win.  I already want to attack the Houffalize climbs, and it is only Monday.

When I arrived in Dalby Forest I was really out of whack.  Let’s just say there are a few days a month where I wonder if I can even ride my mountain bike, let alone race.  We arrived on Thursday with no delay in our travel, and Friday I set out to practice the course.  The time change, the time of the month stuff and a melatonin hangover left me pretty much useless.  I couldn’t ride anything.  I abandoned ship and found a field to lay in to center myself.  I did some “Willow” meditations in the grass, tried to get myself together, and then headed back to the house.  I found a bottle of wine at the store called “Balance” and figured I needed a few glasses of that. .. ..  .

Luckily I have  some really great people in my life to help me through my little (or big) moments.  The perfect e-mail from my coach Rick Crawford, and a special phone call from Myles were just what I needed to get my mind right.  Saturday my practice was much smoother and I was ready to race.  I choose to race the conservative line in “Worry Gill” and put all my anxiety into the climbs where I could just hammer out my demons.  And that is exactly how the race played out.

An awesome image from Irmo Keizer, thank you!

I was patient at the start, and lucky enough to follow Heather around the first lap.  Little by little I increased the pace and by lap two it was just Irina and I at the front.  The rest of the race was a back and forth battle with me pushing on the climbs and Irina leading a few of the descents.  With one lap to go Irina attacked through the start area and opened up a small gap.  I closed it in the next small loop, and we went into the last technical section wheel to wheel.  The last big climb of the day proved to be the pivotal moment as Irina had a little more suffering left in her than I did.  I crossed the line 11 seconds behind; happy, but already thinking about what I needed to do to win!

Tonight I am in a London hotel, and tomorrow we are going to check out a few sights before we board the train to Brussels.  From there it is a few hours drive to Houffalize where I can hopefully find something to eat that does not involve bread or beer.  I am thinking I should do some yoga so I can stay 5′2″ for at least a few more years.  Thanks for watching! It makes a difference.

Well, Sea Otter is just what it is.  Vegas plus bike racing.  You have to put your party face forward and bring your racing legs. Luckily, I can do both at least once a year.  SRAM had a huge party, and that was fun to say the least.

Heather's boots, my shoes

The races went pretty well with a 4th in the Short Track and a 4th in the Cross Country.  I found out by default that two Power/Balance bracelets are not better than one.  I crashed 3 times in the weekend, and when I got home fell off the stairs.  I took one bracelet off and all of a sudden was standing much steadier. …

short track

A 24 hour panic attack later, I was in Newark boarding my plane to Birmingham England.  Continental has the worst seats ever.  No leg room and hot as heck.  And I am only 5′ 2″.

But I made it.

Salad, wine, melatonin.  I am out.

Well, that was fun!  The trip to Guatemala was short, easy and successful.  I attacked from the gun, and held my lead to the end.  Mary was second and Heather third for a USA sweep of the podium.  Todd won the men’s race, so we both got our first jersey of the year

I went back to Durango for two days (laundry, healing treatments, beauty treatments) and now I am in Monterey CA for the Sea Otter Classic.  I am not going to count how many Sea Otters this is for me because it will just make me feel old.  But it’s alot.

Last night SRAM had a big bash with lots of wine, so that was fun! Today I am going to check out the courses, go to a product launch, do a photoshoot and hopefully get to Whole Foods.  Short track is Saturday, XC sunday, back to Durango Monday and off to London Wednesday.  Here we go. … .

Well, I am racing again!  It has been sixth months since my last race.  Lucky for me, my last race was the World Championships, so I finished ‘09 with lots of good feelings and motivation.  Regardless, the first race is still always a surprise. This year, the surprise happened to be a good one!  I finished 3rd in the XC and 1st in the STXC, my first ever short track win.

loved this section of trail in the XC

I am super excited about my form at the present moment.  I started riding my bike the 2nd week of February, so I am really fresh mentally and physically.  Except for five rides in Sedona, my winter rides were all on the road bike.  Two great benefits of that plan are 1) I have an extra gear or two on the mountain bike and 2) I LOVE riding my mountain bike!  I was so excited to race just because it was warm and there was a trail in front of me.  Looks like Winter might just be my secret weapon. ..

I am back in Durango and doing a little recovery from the racing, pollution, and a cold (what?! I never get sick!!) I picked up on the weekend.  Good timing again, as I need a few days rest before some good hard workouts on the weekend.  Next weekend begins a full month of racing in a row.  Guatemala for the Pan Ams, Sea Otter and then two World Cups in London and Belgium.  As good as Winter was to me, it is pretty sweet to see my front yard again!

first short track win!

I am so lucky to be doing what I love!  I have spent 4 months off the mountain bike in Durango.  Cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and road biking have been great for my fitness, but nothing compares to the mountain bike for pure fun.  I have been training in Sedona Arizona with Myles, and I have never felt better.  I have such an appreciation for snow-less singletrack and the company of my favorite person and training partner.  Myles and I had enormous success training together before the Worlds last year, so I feel extra calm going into this season with my secret weapon pushing me to be my best every day.

Some of my favorite things are sunshine, trails, health food, healing, love and experiences.  I am getting it all and more!  I race in two weeks, and I know for sure that being able to wear shorts and no booties will be all the motivation I need to get back to the hurting I love.  I hope March is getting warmer for all of you!

I still find it hard to figure myself out.  Sometimes I seem so stressed about things being “settled” or normal or calm .. . but then I am bored out of my mind when they are.  Geez.  I have decided to try a proactive stategy, and switch things up just becuase I can.  Actually, this is a constant with me.  I always want something new!  Look, I have found a common thread!

So, my new things so far in 2010 are: loving winter, hypnosis (it’s not scary), an Ayurvedic dietary approach, the Biomat, #9 Chocolate (!!!) Agave gels for training, my own homemade electrolyte mix, no new jeans in the last 3 weeks, Bikram yoga, snowboarding as much as possible, (just noticed my word count is 111 and if anyone really knows me, then you know that matters!), cross country skiing (thank you Nordic Center at Durango Mountain Resort!), snowshoeing, avoiding the bars, humidifiers, bananas, hot springs, saunas, and loving more than ever.  Loving my boyfriend, loving my friends, loving what I do, loving my family, loving all my supporters and loving myself.  Big changes indeed. . .

Just read an awesome quote by Bob Dylan: “Man is successful if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night, and in between does what he wants to do”.

So, I am in Durango and there is snow everywhere.  Amazingly (for me) I am loving it!  Got some snowshoes, xc skis and a new snowboard setup.  You have to know how to have fun (and train) in the snow!

Durango Mountain Resort has been so kind to sponsor me with a season’s pass to the mountain and the Nordic Center across the street.  That leaves no excuses for missing powder days and then getting the cardio in.  Thanks Sven!

At the "beach". .. Durango Mountain Resort

My favorite thing about mountain biking is the stillness and silence in the forest.  I have been able to find that same peace out on the XC skis.  There is no limit to the beautiful places I can travel to!

looks fake doesn't it?

My family came out for the Holidays and Myles and I have been driving up to Silverton to participate in the back-country adventures.  Those snowshoes are a tough workout!  My little niece Lucy is now a crawler.  She also seems to love my magnetic massager.  What a smart girl!

Today I am chilling and going for a soak, sauna and massage at the local Amaya spa.  Yes, life is good!

Well, I don’t have any photos this time.  My computer decided that I am too cluttered and won’t upload them (or save them on my camera).  Ugggh.  That’s really too bad, because I would like to show you how much fun I have been having!

I just got back from a visit with my sister in New York City.  It was amazing.  I literally walked around in heels for 8 hours a day and felt fantastic.  If I am not wearing heels when I try on clothes I just won’t buy anything.  Maybe I should try that if I don’t want to spend. . . .

If  you ever get a chance to see the show Fuerza Bruta you have to see it!!  It was by far the most out of control show I have ever seen.  The show ended with a DJ dressed up like Mozart spinning some wicked beats.  It didn’t hurt that we met up with the dancers and continued our dance party at the hottest spot in the neighborhood (do you call it a neighborhood in New York City?  Whatever.).

I am back in Durango and riding single track as much as possible before the snow finally decides to arrive.  I am loving my bike so much, these trails are just so sweet!  I have been running too and doing silly things like butt/ab/arm workouts from Madonna’s and Gwyneth’s personal trainer.  I am such a sucker.

On Monday I am going to a Pixie’s concert in Denver.  I adore the Pixies and can’t wait to finally see them live!  Other plans include Thanksgiving in San Francisco, a visit from girlfriends the first week of December, a few days on the beach, and then the family is coming out to Durango for Christmas.  Then all of a sudden it is January and a new season begins!

I seem to make it about two weeks in one place before I start to feel anxious.  I think I may need to learn how to just chill at some point. .. . I have been running, mountain biking, spending lots of money at the health food and wine store, and obsessing over fall fashion.  Balmain is my lust-worthy fashion house right now.  Here is why:

yes please

I would dress this way everyday if I could.  Durango needs a little fashion shake up if you ask me!  I have liked sparkly things since I can remember.  I think I need a sparkly bike outfit next year.  Maybe I will get to work designing that!

I am also obsessing over the Dandy Warhols right now.  I had an album of theirs a while ago, but I just downloaded tons more songs.  I can listen to a few of them three times in a row, and I have had these songs for a week now.  I know what I like when I like it!

I am headed downtown to meet my fashion forward friend Meg Wells for a cocktail.  I like to think of it as electrolyte replacement.

If you can’t sleep, go to the health food store and get these homeopathic lozenges called “moon drops”.  It says to take 1, but I take 4 and I wake up after 9 hours feeling really amazing.  They also have calm drops, passion drops and stress drops.  I took a calm drop the other day because I was freaking out about taxes, and it really worked.  Almost too good really.  I sat on my couch and stared at the wall totally content for about :25 minutes.  That NEVER happens to me, so that was pretty cool.